4 No/Low-Cost Activities that Teach Your Kids to Love the Environment

Parents can educate their children on recycling, using eco-friendly products, and conserving water and energy but without any appreciation for the environment, these lessons are futile. Before teaching children how to care for the environment, they must first understand why they should.

So, how do you instill that deep love for nature in your children? Here are great ways to do so, without breaking the bank. Learning about the environment can be cheap.

4 Activities That Teach Kids to Love the Environment

1. Outdoor Park Adventures

No need for an African Jungle Safari. Head to your local outdoor park or wildlife sanctuary to allow your child to experience nature’s breathtaking beauty.

• If you are from Manila, Philippines, visit the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Center. The man-made lake is a wonderful sight to behold which will work like magic on your children. You can find other animals nesting in their natural habitats, so kids can see for themselves how trees and other plants are “homes” for these creatures.

• There are also several butterfly sanctuaries in Manila to help children appreciate insects. The Butterfly House and World of Butterflies are only 2 of the many.

Best of all, admission prices for these 3 are below P100.oo ($2) per person.

2. Gardening

No need to go all Martha Stewart-y, a single plant should do the trick. I bought a tomato seedling at a local grocery store, SM Supermarket, which cost a very inexpensive P35.00 (less than $1). After that, all you need is water, sunlight and love.

This is a great activity you can do with your kids. It teaches them that caring for living thing requires effort, patience and consistency. Great skills for any child to learn.

3. The Backyard Hangout

This one does not cost a single cent. Let your children explore nature right in the confines of your home. Encourage them to stay out and under the sun.

The activities you can do are endless. You can explore different type of plants, hunt for bugs (my brother did this), chase ants with a magnifying glass in hand (I did this, and there is no need to burn them) or simply lounge around surrounded by the greens. A kiddie pool is another fun option.

Oh, and if you do not have your own backyard, you can always borrow someone else’s.

4. Nature Fun Facts

This is absolutely free. Hook children on the environment by giving them nature tidbits to keep the fire burning. Here are 5 examples of very interesting nature facts:

• Dropping a tarantula will cause it to shatter, just like glass!
• A mouse can squeeze into a hole as small as a ballpoint pen.
• For some crickets and grasshoppers, their ears are on their front legs.
• A Dragon Fly only lives for 24 hours
• Rats do not vomit, they simply cannot.

There are loads of other activities you can do to cultivate your children’s deep love for the environment. Whichever you choose, just remember to constantly provide opportunities for them to bond with nature. This will get them to truly appreciate the world’s natural beauty.

Fun Facts Sources:
www.listverse.com/2009/01/03/10-weird-and-wonderful-oddities-of-nature
www.factsnfacts.com/living_beings_facts/insects_facts/interesting
www.onemansblog.com/2006/12/12/interesting-insect-facts<
Photos:
Leaf – Creative Commons from epSos.de
Butterfly – Creative Commons from KentonForshee

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